# Aston Down > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aston_Down > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aston_Down.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Down > Source revision: 1349123984 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{Infobox airport | name = Aston Down | nativename = | nativename-a = | nativename-r = | image = AstonDown.jpg | image-width = 200 | caption = Aston Down from the south | IATA = | ICAO = | type = Private | owner = [Cotswold Gliding Club](/source/Cotswold_Gliding_Club) | operator = Cotswold Gliding Club | city-served = | location = [Minchinhampton](/source/Minchinhampton), [Gloucestershire](/source/Gloucestershire) | elevation-m = | elevation-f = 600 | coordinates = {{Coord|51|42|27|N|002|07|28|W|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}} | website = | pushpin_map = Gloucestershire | pushpin_label = Aston Down | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Gloucestershire | used = October 1938 – 1967 (RAF){{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=37}} | r1-number = 03/21 | r1-length-m = 1480 | r1-length-f = 4855 | r1-surface = [Tarmac](/source/Asphalt_concrete) | r2-number = 09/27 | r2-length-m = 1000 | r2-length-f = 3280 | r2-surface = Tarmac | stat-year = | stat1-header = | stat1-data = | stat2-header = | stat2-data = | footnotes = ({{gbmapping|SO9101}}) }} '''Aston Down''' is in [Gloucestershire](/source/Gloucestershire), [South West England](/source/South_West_England), {{convert|2.5|mi|0}} east of [Minchinhampton](/source/Minchinhampton), {{convert|6|mi|0}} southeast of [Stroud](/source/Stroud) and {{convert|7|mi}} west of [Cirencester](/source/Cirencester). The nearest settlement is the large village of [Chalford](/source/Chalford), 1 mile (1.6 km) to the northwest. The airfield was used by the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) from the [First World War](/source/World_War_I) until 1967 when the [Cotswold Gliding Club](/source/Cotswold_Gliding_Club) moved in from their previous base near [Tetbury](/source/Tetbury). In 2002 the land and most of hangars surrounding the airfield were sold by the [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) to private developers for use as industrial units. ==History== ===First World War=== The airfield was originally opened as RAF Minchinhampton and was first used in the [First World War](/source/World_War_I), serving as an aerodrome for the [Australian Flying Corps](/source/Australian_Flying_Corps) with [No. 2 Squadron AFC](/source/No._2_Squadron_RAAF) flying the [Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5](/source/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_S.E.5)a and the [Sopwith Pup](/source/Sopwith_Pup) and [No. 3 Squadron AFC](/source/No._3_Squadron_RAAF) flying the [Avro 504](/source/Avro_504). The airfield closed shortly afterwards.{{cite web |title=Australian Flying Corps |publisher=Cotswold Gliding Club |url=http://www.cotswoldgliding.co.uk/afc.htm |accessdate=29 March 2007}} ===Reopening=== In 1938 the airfield reopened under the new name of RAF Aston Down at the request of the residents of Minchinhampton town, which lies about {{Convert|1|mi}} to the west of the airfield, who feared not enemy attack, but a fall in the value of their houses.Diana Wall, ''A Brief History of Minchinhampton'', Minchinhampton Local History Group During the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) the main present unit was [No. 20 Maintenance Unit RAF](/source/No._20_Maintenance_Unit_RAF) (MU) which stored and prepared aircraft. The unit arrived during October 1938 and left in September 1960. The next unit to arrive was [No. 12 Group Pool RAF](/source/No._12_Group_Pool_RAF) which arrived during August 1939, the units name was changed to [No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAF](/source/No._5_OTU) (OTU) before being renamed [No. 55 OTU](/source/No._55_OTU). The unit trained [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) and [Bristol Blenheim](/source/Bristol_Blenheim) pilots before being renamed No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF at [RAF Annan](/source/RAF_Annan). This was redesignated on 18 December 1944 and moved back to Aston Down where the unit flew [Hawker Typhoon](/source/Hawker_Typhoon)s.{{Harvnb|Lake|1999|p=149.}} During 1941 the second longest staying unit arrived which was [No. 9 Ferry Pool ATA](/source/No._9_Ferry_Pool_ATA) of the [Air Transport Auxiliary](/source/Air_Transport_Auxiliary) which transported aircraft from the buildings of No. 20 MU to operational airfields. The unit was renamed [No. 187 Squadron RAF](/source/No._187_Squadron_RAF) and moved to [RAF Benson](/source/RAF_Benson) during January 1953. In August 1941 [No. 52 OTU](/source/No._52_OTU) joined the station from [RAF Debden](/source/RAF_Debden) and the unit trained daytime fighter pilots but after two years in August 1943 the unit moved out. The Fighter Leader School moved in during August 1943 operating [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire)s moving from [RAF Charmy Down](/source/RAF_Charmy_Down) but after only four months the unit left.{{cite web |title=RAF Aston Down |publisher=Control Towers |url=http://www.controltowers.co.uk/A/Aston_Down.htm |accessdate=20 May 2012}} First operational squadron to arrive was [No. 180 Squadron RAF](/source/No._180_Squadron_RAF) which had moved to [RAF Dunsfold](/source/RAF_Dunsfold) on 18 August 1943 and a detachment was based at RAF Aston Down until 12 April 1943 flying the [North American Mitchell](/source/North_American_B-25_Mitchell).{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=65}} During the time [No. 4 Squadron RAF](/source/No._4_Squadron_RAF) arrived on 3 January 1944 and stayed until 2 March 1944 flying the [de Havilland Mosquito](/source/de_Havilland_Mosquito) XVI.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=24}}{{cite web |title=Aston Down (Minchinhampton) |publisher=[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust](/source/Airfields_of_Britain_Conservation_Trust) |url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/aston-down-minchinhampton |accessdate=20 May 2012}} ===Post Second World War=== Sometime after the Second World War the hangars were used by [No. 5 Maintenance Unit RAF](/source/No._5_Maintenance_Unit_RAF) which was based at [RAF Kemble](/source/RAF_Kemble). On 1 February 1953 [No. 187 Squadron RAF](/source/No._187_Squadron_RAF) reformed at the airfield. The unit was renamed from No. 2 Home Ferry Unit and initially only flew the [Avro Anson](/source/Avro_Anson) C.19 but in March 1955 the [Vickers Varsity](/source/Vickers_Varsity) T.1 was added and in April of the same year Anson C.12's were also added but just over two years later the unit disbanded on 2 September 1957 at the airfield.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=66}} More recently the airfield was used as a satellite airfield for the [Central Flying School](/source/Central_Flying_School) at [RAF Little Rissington](/source/RAF_Little_Rissington), with trainee flying instructors practising their [circuits](/source/Airfield_traffic_pattern) in [BAC Jet Provost](/source/BAC_Jet_Provost)s.{{cite web |title=About the Club |publisher=Cotswold Gliding Club |url=http://www.cotswoldgliding.co.uk/information.htm |accessdate=7 December 2007}} Visits by the [Red Arrows](/source/Red_Arrows) were also frequent until their departure from the nearby [Kemble Airport](/source/Kemble_Airport) in 1983. Since the sale of the airfield it no longer sees any RAF flying activity. The following RAF Regiment squadrons and unit were here at some point: * [No. 2717 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2717_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2719 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2719_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2724 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2724_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2742 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2742_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2757 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2757_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2759 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2759_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2777 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2777_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 2804 Squadron RAF Regiment](/source/No._2804_Squadron_RAF_Regiment) * [No. 27 Group Communication Flight RAF](/source/No._27_Group_RAF) ==Current use== In 1967 the [Cotswold Gliding Club](/source/Cotswold_Gliding_Club) (CGC) moved to Aston Down, which in 1981 became surplus to requirements and was sold to the Club by the [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) (MOD).Roberts (1983). Having since acquired further land, the CGC now owns most of the airfield within the perimeter track. [DEFRA](/source/Department_for_Environment%2C_Food_and_Rural_Affairs) occupy a secure facility to the north of the airfield housing the [SVS](/source/State_Veterinary_Service) Aston Down Wildlife Unit.{{Cite web|url=https://governmentbuildings.co.uk/properties/view/830046|title=Aston Down DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS|website=governmentbuildings.co.uk}} ==Industry and the environment== The land surrounding the airfield, including a number of large hangars (visible in the photograph above), continued to be used by the MOD until 2002, when it was sold to the development firm Leda Properties to be let as warehousing and industrial units.{{cite web|title=UK Activity Report |publisher=UK Business Park |url=http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/mie98622.htm |accessdate=29 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330011622/http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/mie98622.htm |archivedate=30 March 2007 }} In 2005, following a [Freedom of Information](/source/Freedom_of_Information_Act_2000) request, the local newspaper revealed that Aston Down is contaminated with [arsenic](/source/arsenic), [hydrocarbon](/source/hydrocarbon)s and [radium](/source/radium).{{cite web |date=17 August 2005 |title=Toxic threat to water supply |publisher=Stroud News and Journal |url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/archive/2005/08/17/Stroud+Archive/6702009.Toxic_threat_to_water_supply/ |accessdate=20 May 2012}} ==See also== *[Cotswold Gliding Club](/source/Cotswold_Gliding_Club) *[List of former Royal Air Force stations](/source/List_of_former_Royal_Air_Force_stations) ==References== ===Citations=== {{reflist|colwidth=35em}} ===Bibliography=== *{{cite book |last1=Falconer|first1=J|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2 |year=2012 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|location= UK|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}} *{{cite journal |last=Roberts |first=David |date=Aug–Sep 1983 |title=The battle for Aston Down |journal=Sailplane & Gliding |volume=XXXIV |issue=4 |pages=160–2}} *{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1=CG |year=1988 |title=RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |publisher=Airlife |location=Shrewsbury |isbn=1-85310-053-6 }} *{{wikicite|ref={{harvid|Lake|1999}} |reference=Lake, A ''Flying Units of the RAF''. Shrewsbury, Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1999. {{ISBN|1-84037-086-6}}.}} ==External links== *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/64/a3940364.shtml The Story Of The Air Transport Auxiliary], ''WW2 People's War'', BBC *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070406193059/http://www.cotswoldgliding.co.uk/index.htm Cotswold Gliding Club] **[Webcam](/source/Webcam) view of [http://www.cotswoldgliding.co.uk/webcam northeastern end of main runway] at 15-minute intervals over the past two hours {{Royal Air Force}} {{Royal Air Force stations in Gloucestershire}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Aston Down}} Category:Buildings and structures in Gloucestershire Category:Gliderports in the United Kingdom Category:Gliding in England Category:Sport in Gloucestershire --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aston Down](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Down) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Down?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.